DOZENS of homes in the Anfield area of Liverpool were left without water on the hottest weekend of the year so far after local youths set off a number of fire hydrants.

Two nursing homes for the elderly on Anfield Road were among the premises affected.

Hundreds of residents living around the Breckfield Road area had their water supply severely disrupted over the course of the weekend. It is believed a key used to open the hydrants was stolen.

A United Utilities spokesman said a total of four hydrants – which are used by the fire service for high-pressure water – had been set off in the area around the football stadium.

But he added that engineers would not go into the area to fix the problem on “health and safety” grounds because they feared coming under attack from stone-throwing youths.

One of the customers affected was Cllr Berni Turner, Liverpool City Council’s executive member for the environment.

She said: “It’s unacceptable that residents are held to ransom because of a few youths.

“What about the health and safety of people left without water on a hot day?

“Water is a precious commodity and it is criminal to waste it.”

Ward councillor Jimmy Kendrick said he would be pressing Warrington-based United Utilities to give customers a refund for the time they were without water.

United Utilities spokesman Shaun Robinson said opening fire hydrants was “totally irresponsible”.

He added: “We are not able to go into the location until after dark because vehicles have been stoned and engineers have not been able to perform their duties.”

The firm was hoping to issue bottled water to the nursing homes affected by the breakdown in supply.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside police said last night: “Officers have made contact with United Utilities to ensure that water is restored to residents. A police presence was offered to engineers to ensure that this problem was fixed, however engineers were content to attend without police assistance.

“Merseyside Police officers will be going into Breckfield Road and surrounding areas to speak with residents and offer reassurance by providing a high-visibility police presence.”

alanweston